Friends Mourn after 'Stewpot' Dies at 74

Friends Mourn after 'Stewpot' Dies at 74

Article excerpt

TRIBUTES have been paid to former DJ and Crackerjack presenter Ed "Stewpot" Stewart, who has died aged 74.

Presenter David Hamilton hailed his BBC colleague for his versatility.

"Like all of us, radio was his first love," he said. "But also, he did very well on television. He was one of the hosts of Crackerjack for a long time, he did Top Of The Pops and he had his own programme.

"He was a really good guy and I really will miss him."

Stewart was one of the first presenters on Radio 1 when it was launched in 1967.

The following year, he began presenting children's show Junior Choice, which became his trademark radio show.

On television, Devon-born Stewart was best known for children's favourite Crackerjack. He hosted the show from 1973 to 1979.

Noel Edmonds also tweeted heartfelt messages about the man he called his "mentor". Johnnie Walker, who joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969, tweeted to say Stewart had left "in style" after recording a special Junior Choice broadcast at Christmas. …